Hello, Arknights

Chapter 288 Melee

“…I have no money left.”

Ling Dengxian was at a loss as to what to do with the requirement of "providing your own armor" in the competition requirements. Although he had just told Bai Jin not long ago that "a week's food money is nothing to worry about", if he didn't have a budget, it wouldn't take more than a few days for his wallet to become the same as that of one of his colleagues in Penguin Logistics.

What's more, he just went to inquire and found that the price tags of the knight armor in the merchandise cabinet had a little too many zeros, and it looked more like a work of art, rather than something that would be used on the actual battlefield.

"This business world is full of scams..." Ling muttered to himself, raised his head and glanced at the armor in the window. He wrote and drew on the cardboard, but still felt that the shape of this set of armor was not to his liking at all.

Although he didn't plan to buy it, he couldn't afford it.

"What you drew is... a structure?" Texas noticed what he drew.

"Well, I have a little idea that I want to put into practice. If I fail, I will just lose a week's worth of food money."

Yes, he has no money, but then again, he is not starving to death at the moment, and he doesn't have any permanent expenses, so he doesn't feel bad about spending his hard-earned income.

Under normal circumstances, the infected people in Rhodes Island need additional treatment, and a considerable number of operators compensate for the cost of medicine through work. As for whether it is equal... Rhodes Island has not forgotten its mission.

But he was not a normal infected person. Thinking of this, he glanced at the mineral crystals on his hands inconspicuously. He had gotten much better. Even if he shook hands with others with gloves on, it would not be exposed.

But he did not feel too much joy, which made him a little confused: he could heal himself, but could he really understand the pain of the infected, the pain of facing approaching death, and was he qualified to do certain things?

Ling Dengxian has become more and more cautious until now. He doesn't want to make any mistakes or make any irreparable mistakes.

Thinking is a continuous process. He nodded slightly. He believed that he could get the answer. At least, so far, he had no regrets.

Ling Dengxian turned around and put away the paper and pen: "Texas, can we go to the West District?"

Texas knew he still couldn't find the way, so he nodded, but he was also a little confused: "Is that a plan?"

“Looking for materials.”

……

"Welcome to the Central Division of the Great Knight Territory! I am your old friend, Big Mouth Mob! I am honored to give you a pre-match explanation -

"Oh, don't lose your spirits because of the selection competition. Be patient and listen to me for a few more words! Compared with the special championship, the selection will have more new star knights, more bizarre competition systems and more unexpected results! Tell me! What is the most important thing to us? That's right! It's time to make the money in your pocket play its due value and let the joy flood the arena!"

Taking off his helmet and rubbing his temples, Ling Dengxian felt the pressure from the loudspeakers and the noisy voices in the stadium oppressing his nerves. He felt a little familiar, a familiarity that made him not very pleasant.

"Host, do you remember the sports meeting?"

"Little bit?" Ling Dengxian opened his eyes. Around him were outsiders who were also participating in the competition through the red wine registration quota. Some of them were simply excited, while others were nervous as hell. The feathers on their helmets were swaying in various postures.

"Well, did the host miss me?"

"At this point, do you still believe that you are a system?" Ling Dengxian put on his helmet again, feeling a little complicated.

"If I don't say this, I always feel like something is missing."

"Roar? It's quite ceremonial." Ling Dengxian began to check the weapons. At this moment, he caught a glimpse of Texas who appeared at the door of the preparation room.

"Because I've been watching for so long, I have something to say."

"Then just hold it in." Ling Dengxian said bluntly.

Xiaoxie chuckled and didn't intend to listen to him.

"Master, the word knight has never suited you."

"So, don't get too caught up in the drama."

"If you must...Host, don't get too involved."

"Armor is for protecting yourself. Don't take the curse lightly."

The content was extremely fragmented, but the tone was as smooth as a mirror, which made Ling Dengxian feel unprecedentedly strange.

"I want to chat with you now, but it seems that I can't go back to the past." The silver bell-like voice was lonely, "Well, I wish you good luck, and I won't bother you for now."

"Are you nervous?" Under the curious gazes of others, Rupert approached and asked with concern.

Ling Dengxian shook his head: "No, the host's voice is quite noisy, but it's a bit... well, it's indeed a bit uncomfortable."

"That's unexpected. That's not like you." Texas was a little surprised.

"It just reminded me of some unpleasant experiences I had in high school..."

Texas was silent for a moment. She wanted to touch his face to make him relax, but he had already put on his helmet. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Black Horn Yato and I are looking forward to your victory."

"If you don't work harder, Surtel will probably laugh at you - and I won't be very happy."

"Okay... Wait, how did Blackhorn and the others know about this?! I haven't told them yet, have I?"

"I told you that Hei Jiao Ya Dao is actually fine. I know it's a bit risky but I still understand it. But as for Huang..."

"She wouldn't be very excited, would she? She thinks there's something exciting to watch again?"

"No, quite the opposite," Texas whispered, "She thinks you're a little... not taking your job seriously."

"Although she didn't say much, it would be better if you could find a chance to explain it to her."

Ling Dengxian was silent for a moment. He didn't expect that the one who was dissatisfied in this regard was Huang.

It seems... not everyone likes the overly entertaining nature of knightly competitions.

No matter what, he has to deal with the current melee points competition first.

He had more restrictions than the normal participating knights, and he couldn't let his competitors succeed even once -

"...Is it really okay?" Texas asked worriedly before going on the court.

"As long as I don't get hit, I can lower my presence a little, play one round first, and score as many points as possible." Ling Dengxian said helplessly. He was not aiming for the championship or any other ranking. What he wanted was to see if he could get in touch with more forces through this identity. The reason why he didn't choose the plan of winning all the way to fame... was because he might not be able to do it.

He missed all the subsequent singles matches and tried his best to make up for the points in the final melee. Ling checked the historical records and found that there was such a precedent, but... he couldn't afford "a day and a night", and in fact, such morbid overtime matches were not the norm. He could only choose to participate in two melees and score points as quietly as possible to qualify for the special tournament.

As for why he couldn't be defeated by his competitors once...

Because his "armor" is made of wood and painted for camouflage, it will be exposed once it is hit...

He certainly didn't have the technology to forge it, and there were others who could do the painting work to such a realistic level.

"...So, are you ready to throw your gold coins to your favorite knights? The cruel, violent, and treacherous knight melee is about to begin!"

The knights stepped into the wide arena from different passages, wielding heavy hammers, broadswords, long-handled axes... their armor reflected the dazzling white light. At this moment, all kinds of feathers on the tops of the helmets swayed slightly in the brewing of the storm. As the chopped-off flags on the sidelines fell, the dramatic fight between armor and armor, weapon and weapon officially broke out.

But...who is sad and who is arrogant?

Who gambles everything for his livelihood, and who drinks and drenches himself for a piece of paper?

A village near the territory of Great Knight Casimir.

"Ikaros, what's on TV now?"

"...You probably won't be interested in knight competitions, the most undignified melee in the trials." The Kuranta man was about to turn off the TV, fearing that the other party would be unhappy.

"Wait." The middle-aged Kuranta put down the work of repairing weapons in his hands. He seemed to see a familiar sword, and then he saw a familiar figure in the chaos.

"……real or fake……"

"Father?"

"What are you two arguing about? If you have something fun, tell me and I'll join in the fun." A Feilin poked his head in from the windowsill outside the house.

"Why did Ling come here?!"